The Journey Home: A Biblical Guide to Using the Enneagram to Deepen Your Faith and Relationships

by Meredith Boggs

Have you felt distance growing between you and God and found yourself wondering, Why does God feel so far away? Why do I feel so disconnected from him? Maybe you have been aching inside, longing for deeper relationships with the people in your life and hoping to understand them better. Certified Enneagram teacher Meredith Boggs will be your guide as she gives you biblical wisdom and practical tips to strengthen your relationships with God, others, and yourself.

Maybe you've heard of the Enneagram but aren't sure what it's all about. Is it even okay for Christians to use it? Is it something that can be used for spiritual growth, not just personal growth? Perhaps you know your Enneagram type but have no idea how to apply what you've learned as a way to enhance your spiritual life. Or are you someone who has become disenchanted with your beliefs or lonely in your church community and are yearning for closer spiritual connections?

In The Journey Home Meredith Boggs provides a biblical road map to using the Enneagram, a well-known and prominent tool for self-growth, to revitalize your faith and guide you back home to God. Drawing on her years of experience as an Enneagram teacher, she weaves together personal stories, scripture, and practical application tips that show you how to

Better understand the ways the Enneagram can be a useful tool as you grow in your faithIdentify your Enneagram type's strengths and leverage them to kickstart and maintain your spiritual growthRecognize your type's specific sin tendencies so you can break free from themCultivate closer relationships with others by understanding their spiritual challenges and strengthsPractice spiritual disciplines unique to your type and integrate them into your lifeIf you feel lost or disconnected in your spiritual life or simply want to strengthen your relationship with God and others, this book will help you chart a course to a place of deeper connection and fulfillment.

Praise for The Journey Home:

"The Enneagram has long been an insightful and simultaneously a deeply convicting tool for me--both as a therapist and as a believer. In working with the Enneagram, we need guides who can lead us with direct, illuminating truth and expansive amounts of grace. I'm grateful Meredith is now bringing that truth and grace to all of us through the pages of this book."

--Sissy Goff, MED, LPC-MHSP, CCATP, Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling and bestselling author of Raising Worry-Free Girls

Genres: Nonfiction, Christianity

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2023

Reviews

[Cate · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you need some (kind) spiritual re-orientation when it comes to learning about your Enneagram type, this book is your you. There were more than a few moments when I felt called out in this book, but they are things I know I need to change.

[Rachel Sweatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a LOT on christianity + the enneagram from various teachers and I really appreciated Meredith's approach to it's diverse background and biblical accountability for it's use as a tool for spiritual growth and health in ALL areas, not just the ones that fit any agenda. She even goes so far to say if the enneagram distracts you for God and his Gospel to put it down. THAT is the kind of teacher I want everyone to get to learn about the enneagram from! Grab this book, you won't regret it! I loved the emphasis she puts on practical application for each number in realistic ways that feel doable and honoring of who God really created us to be in his bigger story. If anyone is looking for a credible, Christian take on the enneagram, Meredith is your girl! She's done the work and the research and isn't hesitant to ask or answer the hard questions we're all asking, while championing each reader to take the steps that point their souls towards wholeness in Jesus and the Gospel.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

God's beautiful image is clearly evident when we see the mosaic of people in our lives. The Enneagram is a tool for noticing the miraculous fabric that knits us together. Meredith clarifies the masterful way God weaves these threads through all our lives—evidence of His glory moving from our first breaths to our last. The Journey Home will equip you to embrace and refine who God made you to be and give you a better understanding of your loved ones, too. We are all fearfully and wonderfully made; The Journey Home helps us remember this!

[Leslie McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a fan of the Enneagram and jumped right to the part about me (of course). This book delivers more than self-help, though. It takes a fascinating path for self-discovery and gently but firmly directs it upward. I appreciated the frank and loving tone the author uses to affirm our unique personalities, but also call out the areas we need to grow, including a peek into the blessings that await when we do. I recommend this beautiful guide to anyone wanting to grow both personally and spiritually.

[Jeana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meredith's knowledge of and heart for the enneagram and its practical purpose in leading us toward growth rather than complacency really shines through in "The Journey Home." Meredith understands and communicates how the enneagram is another gift of grace the Lord uses us to bring us back to Himself. What a sweet relief that I don't have to just sit in my seven-ness. Even the title itself brings peace to this pilgrim.

[Michelle Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book. It provided such a good overall understanding of the Enneagram and the nine types with their various perspectives and I loved the fact that it gave such practical suggestions to help me grow in my faith. I especially related to where Meredith speaks particularly to the “weary wanderer, spiritual vagabond and those with threadbare faith”! It's so easy to read and down to earth and compassionate.

[Bailey T. Hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book meets an essential need—bringing awareness to our need for God’s love and truth and finding safety in His care for us no matter what our individual weaknesses/strengths may be. This book gave me permission to explore difficult sides of myself without judgment and discover the gift of how God uniquely made me to care for myself and others. If you’re an Ennegram guru or new to the enneagram, you’ll enjoy this

[Rebecca Ketterer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed learning more about Enneagram and how it can be applied to my spiritual growth as well. There is no Enneagram test in this book, but the author refers you to an awesome one. I’ve taken versions of it before, but it was not comprehensive enough because although I kind of agreed with previous results, the assessment she recommended and then the explanation/information about it in the book was SPOT ON.

[Kristen Addington · Rating 4 out of 5]

"To the weary wanderers, spiritual vagabonds, and those with threadbare faith- the invitation stands: come home. There are no prerequisites, requirements, or fine print to read. Your burden wasn't meant to be born alone. Your weariness is welcome. Jesus is waiting to give you rest from your striving and suffering. Come home." (page 199)

[Diane Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Journey Home" is a very helpful tool for understanding the ennegram. I am not very familiar with it, but have always wanted to learn more about it. This book is a great tool for that. In fact, I ended up buying the hard copy so I can highlight it! Meredith Boggs writes in a very easy to read format. I highly recommend this book if you desire to learn more about the ennegram.

I received this book from NetGalley through the publisher for my honest opinion.

[Suzie Waltner · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I am not opposed to the Enneagram. In fact, I think used correctly, it is a great tool for understanding my weaknesses and why I don’t connect with other personality types. So, when I see an Enneagram book from a Christian publisher, I am immediately interested in what the author has to say. In The Journey Home: A Biblical Guide to Using the Enneagram to Deepen Your Faith and Relationships, Meredith Boggs breaks down each of the types and some of the struggles prominent within.

First and foremost, I appreciated that the author tells the readers from the get-go that this book (or any other) and the enneagram are no substitute for the Bible. In fact, she states that if you find yourself going to these things for truth, then put the book down immediately.

One thing I found somewhat frustrating about this book is that Boggs only used the numbers. While I am familiar with the enneagram, I am no expert and only know that my number (9) is peacemaker. She only used number 9 and never “peacemaker.” I wish she would have used the descriptors in each chapter so I could put the number with it without having to put the book down and go look the number up.

While I don’t feel like the book delivered on teaching me how to deepen my faith (it barely scratched the surface), it does give a lot of good insight into relationships with other people, which again, is what I like to use it for. All in all, there is another book I’d recommend over this one for anyone new two the enneagram but if you’re well-versed in the personality test, this book may be for you.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most impactful book on the Enneagram that I've read. As I made tough but good decisions after reading, I noticed an immediate shift into what felt like a journey home towards myself. This book has impacted my spiritual life and walk with God in a monumental way.

[Ashley Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

She had me at the intro for the 3,7, and 8s 🤣.

I’m not one to put a lot of stock in the enneagram, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with utilizing it as a tool to grow and take a deeper look at what’s happening in our hearts! I love how Meredith’s goal is to continually point readers back to Christ.

But what I’m most amazed by is how she wrote a book that would meet people who are burned out on religion and church in hopes that their interest in the enneagram will be a tool that our incredibly creative and kind God would use to woo them back to Him.

(Also, as an enneagram 8 I appreciate the deeper look into each types sin proclivity, and the very practical ways Meredith outlines for us to combat them in stress!)

This is a both/and book, and the more I grow in my faith the more I realize how much God wants to expand the ways we try to confine Him to
our understanding! Meredith has shown me that again with this book.